Contact: Christie Shaw, Oregon Department of Forestry
541-263-0661
Darcy Weseman, Umatilla National Forest
541-278-3722
[Morrow County, Ore.] Today
additional resources arrived to support fire suppression efforts on the Wilson
Prairie Fire in Morrow County. Firelines
around the fire were strengthened and efforts made to complete hand and dozer
fireline around the fire adjacent to retardant drops. However, late today the fire moved outside the
fireline and pushed into the Porter Creek drainage on the southern end of the
fire. Evening downslope winds have
continued to move the fire through the drainage to the southeast and across the
ridge into the next drainage to the south.
Very Large Air Tankers (VLATS), Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs), and
helicopters continued to drop water and retardant on the fire to slow the fire
growth and allow firefighters and equipment on the ground to engage in the
suppression efforts. These ground
resources are working to strengthen fireline along existing roads as well as
building fireline in locations favorable to stopping the fire spread.
additional resources arrived to support fire suppression efforts on the Wilson
Prairie Fire in Morrow County. Firelines
around the fire were strengthened and efforts made to complete hand and dozer
fireline around the fire adjacent to retardant drops. However, late today the fire moved outside the
fireline and pushed into the Porter Creek drainage on the southern end of the
fire. Evening downslope winds have
continued to move the fire through the drainage to the southeast and across the
ridge into the next drainage to the south.
Very Large Air Tankers (VLATS), Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs), and
helicopters continued to drop water and retardant on the fire to slow the fire
growth and allow firefighters and equipment on the ground to engage in the
suppression efforts. These ground
resources are working to strengthen fireline along existing roads as well as
building fireline in locations favorable to stopping the fire spread.
The movement of the fire has
prompted evacuation and closure of the U.S. Forest Service campground at Bull
Prairie Lake. Fire crews are escorting
campers outside the fire area to safety.
The campground is approximately a half mile south of the current fire
perimeter.
prompted evacuation and closure of the U.S. Forest Service campground at Bull
Prairie Lake. Fire crews are escorting
campers outside the fire area to safety.
The campground is approximately a half mile south of the current fire
perimeter.
Fuel conditions within the fire
perimeter vary significantly based on their location and fuel type. Unburned fuel remains within the fire
perimeter. Interior flare-ups may occur
if the fuels dry out due to weather or heat from the fire itself.
perimeter vary significantly based on their location and fuel type. Unburned fuel remains within the fire
perimeter. Interior flare-ups may occur
if the fuels dry out due to weather or heat from the fire itself.
The fire is currently estimated
at 700 acres. Firefighters will work
into the night taking advantage of cooler temperatures and improved humidity
which reduce the fire behavior. Additional
firefighting resources will arrive to engage tomorrow, working to build line
around the southern perimeter of the fire.
at 700 acres. Firefighters will work
into the night taking advantage of cooler temperatures and improved humidity
which reduce the fire behavior. Additional
firefighting resources will arrive to engage tomorrow, working to build line
around the southern perimeter of the fire.
The weather forecast for the
region is a continued hot and dry trend with poor humidity recovery. Please follow restrictions to limit potential
human wildfire ignitions.
region is a continued hot and dry trend with poor humidity recovery. Please follow restrictions to limit potential
human wildfire ignitions.
• Regulated Closure is in effect for ODF’s Central Oregon District. Specific restrictions, intended to reduce human caused fires, can be found at www.ODFcentraloregon.com.
• Phase A of the Public Use Restrictions (PURS) for the Umatilla National Forest is in effect. For more information regarding these and other restrictions on the Umatilla National Forest visit www.bmidc.org.